Today I am adding a new book to the picture database for the Young People’s Library Format 3. These books seemingly can be hard to date and categorize but a few simple directions can make any difficulties vanish.

First note the spine on this book. There are four different Young People’s Library formats and they are distinguished by their spines. This spine defines the book as a Format 3 volume. Some example spines are shown. For a look at all four format spines see: http://henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm

Once you know the format number (here it is format 3), you know the dates of publication. Format 3 books were published between 1902 and 1923. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm

To date your book more exactly there is a flow chart on the series page. The ads in the back are the key. My book lists the Automobile Girls to #4. Based on the chart that makes it a 1911-1912 book.

If the book is post-1911:
1. 1911- Automobile Girls #3
2. 1911-1912- Automobile Girls #4
3. 1912-1913 Automobile Girls to #5
4. 1914-1919 Automobile Girls #6/Dave Darrin #1
5. 1920- In the Wee Books for Wee Folks ad, the book at the top of the second column is The Cock, The Mouse and the Little Red Hen. The Grunty Grunts’ books are not listed.
6. 1921-1922- Lists Grunty Grunts in Wee Books for Wee Folks ads
7. 1923 Lists I Don’t Want to go to Bed in Wee Books listing.

Books that were published between 1902-1911 use this part of the flow chart.

If 1902-1911:
1. Is Vic listed in the ads for the Young People’s Library. If yes, the book is 1902-1906. If not, 1907-1910.
2. If Vic is listed, do the ads have Wee Book, Banbury Cross Series- If yes: 1904-1906. If no: 1902-1904.
3. If Vic is not listed, if Mother Stories are listed to title #6- 1907-1908 is your print year. If it lists the Little Men and Women Series to title- Little Lady-Her Book, then the book was published in 1908-1909.
4. If Vic is not listed and the last book in the Little Men and Women Series is Helen’s Babies then your book is from 1908.
5. If Vic is not listed and Automobile Girls to title #3 but no Stories from History books-1910.

Q: I am attaching a picture of a book (Swiss Family Robinson) and I am trying to determine the publish date. Also if there is any info on the value. Thanks in advance.

A: Your book is part of the Ever New Books for Young People Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series82.htm This 16 book series was published in 1915 and originally came with a dust jacket. Although this series’ books look like books from the Young People’s Library, they are slightly larger and have the little horizontal squiggle at the bottom of the cover.

These books are hard to find but scarcity has not helped their value. Without a dust jacket they seldom sell for more than $10-15.

Q: Looking for info on this book. Thanks

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm. It was published in 1899. During that year the cover came in a number of different colors. The book was originally published with a labeled slipcase box.

The book is a reprint and only Treasure Island collectors would pay more than a couple of dollars for it.

I have enclosed several other color covers for your interest.

Q: Thank you for getting back to me so quickly! : ) Attached is a scan of the cover of my book (House of the Seven Gables).
Thank you again.

A: Your book is a 1901-1902 publication. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This is a publisher’s series of books all of which are reprints. During this year, the books of this series were seen with any one of 16 different flowers on the right half of the cover.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

Because it is a reprint and not in the best shape, it only has nominal value.

Q: Hello – I found this book today at the Salvation Army. Can you tell me what year it was published? It’s titled: The Aristocrat of the Breakfast Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes. Thanks a Million.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm. It originally came in a labeled box.

This is a publisher’s series of reprints. Every year the same group of titles were published with different cover designs. Because it is a reprint and not a very collectible title, it only has nominal value.